Battlefield 1943 has had me totally hooked for the last couple of weeks. It might be because this is the first time I've done true MMO gaming (I typically played WoW as a soloist), and found out how much fun it is to frag real people (as opposed to being fragged, which happens FAR too often.) That has been a big part of the enjoyment so far. But another aspect, one that might surprise the hardcore amongst our readers, is the pure gaming experience that comes from the stripped down simplicity of the game. You can choose from only three classes (melee-esqe, ranged, or hybrid). Each class has a total of four weapons total, which includes grenades and a hand to hand weapon. There aren't many choices to make, or have to think about. Once you have those basics down, combat becomes very intuitive, allowing you to concentrate about what is going on in the game world, and not with your fingers.

The other level of simplicity comes from there only being three maps (excluding the air-only level), which quickly promotes an intimate familiarity. This understanding of the terrain forces you to head first for the game's hot spots (the flags), and then your preferred fighting location once you arrive, provided you can reach it. But you may not be able to, as some of your opponents probably want to be there as well. Because everyone else knows the map as well as you, everyone usually ends up in the same location, with the resulting firefights becoming rather intense. Just ask anyone trying to defend the middle flag on Guadalcanal, probably the most fought over location in the entire game. The combination of this knowledge, and the reward system for captures/kills, brings players together, inviting as much combat as possible. And that's a good thing.

Tanks and cars add another level to the game, though both are easy to pick up, and for the most part treated as expendable. (Quick strategy tip: keep your tank moving! Stay stationary, and you will soon be enjoying a recoilless rifle shell up your butt.) Planes are a different subject altogether, and one we will avoid once we have all the postcards/stamps they can provide. Still, the vehicles do allow for alternatives to how you play, and serve to raise the total experience.

For $15, this game is well worth it. You won't find anything new here, but you will most likely remember how much fun pure, boiled down gameplay can be.